The George River Water Quality Panel has not yet delivered on its promise to make public the scientific research handed over to them by Dr Scammell and Dr Bleaney.
In March 2010, the convenor of the Panel, (EPA Chairman John Ramsay) wrote to both Dr Scammell and Dr Bleaney asking for their current research details on water quality in the George River. Mr Ramsay gave both doctors the assurance that this information would be uploaded on the Panel’s website for all to see. He further advised that non-publication would only be for reasons where personal privacy or confidentiality was involved.
The Panel’s website also states, “There will be a number of research and information papers of interest to the Panel. They will be published here as they become available.”
In April 2010, the water quality research undertaken by Dr Scammell and Dr Bleaney since 2004 was presented to the George River Water Quality Panel.
To date, none of this research has been uploaded onto the Panel’s website.
In order to overcome the failure by the Panel to comply with its Convenor’s assurance, this research has now been made available to the public by Dr Scammell and Dr Bleaney uploading their files onto the Tasmanian Public and Environmental Health Network website (Pollution Information Tasmania) …
HERE:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Water_pollution_in_Tasmania
For those who are interested in these investigations, the research shows that an unknown toxin (most likely from the nitens plantations) has a consistent presence in the water of the George River.
The toxin is present in the foam in the river and the bay at levels that are hazardous to oyster larvae but is also present in the water column and is known to adversely affect human cell lines.
The George River is the source of the raw drinking water for St Helens and surrounding environs and also feeds Georges Bay, home to a well established oyster industry.
Urgent work detailing the chemistry of the toxin and its effects are obviously needed as a matter of priority.
Signed:
Dr Alison Bleaney OBE,
Binalong Bay 7216
Friday, PM:
Christian Goninon
Chemical Management Branch Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment
Friday, 14 May 2010
Results of Latest Waterway Testing for Chemicals
The results from the latest round of chemical testing of Tasmania’s rivers and streams have been released.
The head of the Department of Primary Industry, Parks, Water and Environment Chemical Management Branch Christian Goninon said the samples were collected from 55 locations across Tasmania during April 2010.
The water samples are tested for the presence or otherwise of a range of agricultural chemicals.
Pesticide was detected at one site. The herbicide MCPA was found at a trace level in the Flowerdale River at Moorleah near Wynyard.
MCPA is a herbicide widely used to control weeds in pasture.
“This detection is being followed up to ensure the level has dropped to no detection,” Mr Goninon said.
There is currently no Guideline or Health Value set in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines for MCPA; however, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has set a health-based guideline value for MCPA at 2 ppb.
“While this detection is just above the limit of detection, it is a strong reminder to all chemical users that practices must be adopted that ensure sprays are contained within the intended site of application,” Mr Goninon said.
Results for all twenty two rounds of testing are available on the DPIPWE website at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au.
